Nothing to complain about here - smooth scrolling, very nice graphics, and a varied soundtrack that is so good you actually want to keep listening to it rather than turn the volume down. Nothing new, but a very competent effort nonetheless.

The action is incredibly fast and ferocious, with a myriad of different aliens attacking at once. Commendably, the speed of the game is maintained no matter how much is happening off screen, although the music slows a little. Sometimes there is just too much going on, with too many aliens and bullets heading your way, and the easiest way to get to the next section is to die and fly your next ship through while it is still at the usual ‘flashing invincible’ stage. I am sure that over time the player would become more adept at dodging so many aliens, but initially it is a little discouraging to die on such a regular basis. The sound is good, with a couple of nice tunes and sound effects, the graphics are blocky on occasion, and, at times, it is nigh on impossible to see what is going on. This has, despite the power up problems, the makings of a good shoot’ em up. It is just a shame that it is that little bit too frenetic and, visually, god-awful mess.

The graphics are colourful and the ingame tunes are jolly, but the Amiga version gives us the impression that the machine hasn't been used to its full potential. Still the game is very playable, and that's what counts at the end of the day.

With a two-player option so your mates can help you out if the going gets tough, I wouldn't be a teeny bit surprised if Gemini Wings becomes a massive cult hit. Not as flashy as Afterburner or Operation Wolf, I grant you, but at least you shouldn't have to pawn the family heirlooms to play it.

Multiload before meeting the end-level alien isn't too good an idea.
Some moderately impressive mother aliens but the general graphical quality is average.
Highly atmospheric tunes throughout.
Good two player blasting action although the game isn't overly attractive to the single player.
Even with the continue play it's not an easy game.
Standard blasting fodder with a few extras to liven it up.

I get so bored with this type of thing. It's very rare that you get a shoot-em up that is anything other than run-of-the-mill. I needn't really say it but if your interests lie outside the world of frantic blasts then give it a miss.

The sprites are not quite as smooth or as fast as those in the Amiga version, so the game feels a little stiff when you are playing it. Additionally the soundtrack that was superb on the Amiga sounds strained when transferred to the ST's inferior sound chip, and I guarantee you will turn it down after the first five minutes. Not a horrendous game, but not an essential buy either.

Attractive packaging. Prolonged multiload. One player mode only is a let down.
Some neatly shaded backdrops, satisfyingly large and varied sprites.
Pleasant tunes per level but lacking powerful or varied effects.
Would have been better and more fun to get into with two player action but the instant appeal is still strong.
Seven playable levels with enough challenge and variety.
Nothing new in concept but nice to look at with some varied weapons to pick up.

[Budget re-release] Do me a ﬂavour, not another blimmin' oldie shoot-'em-up. Gemlnl Wing is a blaster In the traditional "blow me, there's rather a lot happening on screen" mould. Zillions of power-ups and simultaneous two-player action make the game worth a look if you enjoy that kind of arcade action. Things can get very frantic very fast though.

Unfortunately, the Amiga version is not on a par with its eight bit buddies. Graphics are of course superior, but could have been better. Sound is weak and unmemorable, and gameplay is much slower and simpler. All in all, a fairly standard Amiga shoot ‘em up, disappointing when stood next to the 64 version.

[Budget re-release] The action's familiar and can be one- or two-player. The latter variation is quite fun and has the bonus of nicking each other's power-ups. The graphics are poor and the sound is not much better. At £7.99 it isn't really worth it, especially when there's Silkworm and Xenon around for the same price.

Although colourful, the famous blocky sprites make it a wee bit difficult to avoid danger at times, and the multiload is a bit of a pain. Worse still, there's only a one-player mode, which kills the point of the game a little.

The action's familiar and can be one- or two-player. The latter variation is quite fun and has the bonus of nicking each other's power-ups. The graphics are poor and the sound is not much better. At £7.99 it isn't really worth it, especially when there's Silkworm and Xenon around for the same price.

Blips and blops accompany the action, and the update is so slow, it seems better suited to a budget adventure game. No seriously, it is that bad. Still, we can at least be thankful that it does scroll!

There's a multiload between the title screen and the first level every time you play, so getting started isn't much fun. The graphics are indistinct and bland and, as a result, the action is very frustrating. There are many better vertical scrollers on the C64.

Take a good look back at the history of shoot-em-ups on the 64. Uridium, Terra Cresta, Starray. Now keep looking back, because you ain't gonna find no future in Gemini Wing. Control is sluggish and the soundtrack awful. Avoid.

The game would be reasonable as a £1.99 budget release but not as a full priced game. It's yet another shoot the aliens to collect extra weapons style of game. This apparently was caused by a "strange paradox in the fabric of reality" which probably also explains how Virgin can follow a classic like Silkworm with a game like this.